Does off-grid solar confuse you? Check out my DIY friendly website for solar system packages and product recommendations, and so much more! www.mobile-solarpower.com Join our DIY solar community! #1 largest solar forum on the internet for beginners and professionals alike: www.diysolarforum.com Check out my best-selling, beginner-friendly 12V off-grid solar book (affiliate link): amzn.to/2Aj4dX4 If DIY is not for you, but you love solar and need an offgrid system, check out Tesla Solar. Low prices and great warranty, and they can take your entire house offgrid with their new Powerwalls: ts.la/william57509 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ My solar equipment recommendations (Constantly updated! Check here first): 12V/48V Lithium Batteries: www.mobile-solarpower.com/solar-batteries.html Solar System Component Directory: www.mobile-solarpower.com/solarcomponents.html Plug-N-Play Systems: www.mobile-solarpower.com/full-size-systems.html Complete 48V System Kits: www.mobile-solarpower.com/complete-48v-solar-kits.html DIY Friendly Air Conditioner/ Heat Pumps: www.mobile-solarpower.com/solar-friendly-air-conditioners.html Complete 48V System Blueprint: www.mobile-solarpower.com/48v-complete-system-blueprint.html ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ My Favorite Online Stores for DIY Solar and Coupon Codes: -Current Connected: SOK, Victron and High Quality Components. Best prices and warranty around: currentconnected.com/?ref=wp -Signature Solar: Cheap Server Rack Batteries and Large Solar Panels: www.signaturesolar.com/?ref=h-cvbzfahsek -Ecoflow Delta Official Site: My favorite plug-n-play solar generator: us.ecoflow.com/?aff=7 -AmpereTime: Cheapest 12V batteries around: amperetime.com/products/ampere-time-12v-100ah-lithium-lifepo4-battery?ref=h-cvbzfahsek -Rich Solar: Mega site and cheaper prices than renogy! Check them out: richsolar.com/?ref=h-cvbzfahsek -Shop Solar Kits: Huge site with every solar kit you can imagine! Check it out: shopsolarkits.com/?ref=will-p -Battery Hookup: Cheap cell deals bit.ly/2mIxSqt 10% off code: diysolar -Watts 24/7: Best deals on all-in-one solar power systems, with customer support and distribution here in the USA: watts247.com/?wpam_id=3 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Contact Information: I am NOT available for personal solar system consult! If you wish to contact me, this is my direct email: williamprowsediysolar@gmail.com Join the forum at diysolarforum.com/ if you wish to hang out with myself and others and talk about solar FTC Disclosure Statement and Disclaimers: Every video includes some form of paid promotion or sponsorship. Some links on this youtube channel may be affiliate links. We may get paid if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of these. My videos are for educational purposes only. Information is subject to change/update at any time. Electricity is DANGEROUS and can kill. Be smart and use common sense :) DIY Solar Power with Will Prowse is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, An affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com
@troypointerphotography Жыл бұрын
Hi Let me make this clear and I hope you respond I have just bought 2 x 2000 w KRIEGER INVERTERS Plugged them onto 6 x 1000 ah connected in series at home and one blew up the other does not even work as it should WHY ? What size Inverter should you have if say the Voltage I tested says 64 VOLTS From the Solar to the Battery readings ? get back t o me please ASAP Troy
@P_RO_4 жыл бұрын
Lots of "light bulb" comments. Remember that any simple electrical heating device (incandescent light bulb, hair dryer, soldering iron, heat gun, glue gun, etal) is essentially a resistor and will do the same thing as long as you don't exceed it's power-handling capability. Great job as always Will, I'm SO glad I found your YT channel!
@barcaboy114 жыл бұрын
Hi, having trouble finding a resistor.. but do have a glue gun...how would I go about using it? Thanks!
@gregyohngy4 жыл бұрын
Never saw your idea implemented before. It was good that you proved what damage can happen. Usually, you hear a laugh when the batteries spark and never hear how it can hurt your system! 👍
@itisconsulting4 жыл бұрын
No kidding, you probably just saved my eyes and my life. Great video. Short to the point and extremely valuable information!
@a647382 жыл бұрын
Been connecting my 24v 3000w inverter the hard sparky way countless times without dying or going blind... But for the safety of your LifePo batteries it is best to use a resistor to avoid this.
@jetjob2 жыл бұрын
I sparked the contact between a 3000w psw inverter and 12v/100ah LifeP04 battery bank. The result was an unrecoverable BMS in the first battery in the bank! Good thing BattleBorn has a 10-year warranty. I wish I had seen this video first! Another FANTASTIC video, Will. Thanks for all you do.
@andrewthompson18624 жыл бұрын
All I could look at was the wrenches on the magnets above the batteries. Seriously though, love the content, it's refreshingly simply delivered and any unintentional humor only adds to the charm. Keep it up!
@batvette Жыл бұрын
Every one of those wrenches are shorter than the distance between the battery terminals. The odds of two wrenches falling and resting across each other while also touching both terminals are much higher than winning the powerball jackpot, though I am sure the guys at Dudeperfect could do it, film it, and make you believe they nailed it on the first take.
@wheredidileavemycell4 жыл бұрын
The first time in all my years of doing solar that this has been mentioned. Thank you sir!
@fojrsepta49594 жыл бұрын
I thought your the dude who heated up a miniature sausage everytime they work ALSO
@wheredidileavemycell4 жыл бұрын
@@fojrsepta4959 huh?
@atpro41154 жыл бұрын
I've watched countless videos related to this type of equipment but this is the first time I heard of this. Thanks!
@mejinks19784 жыл бұрын
Im glad you mentioned this as its something not a lot of people are aware of. For me, I use a lightbulb in a holder to charge as its a resistor and the bulb will dim once the capacitors are charged.
@jondavidmcnabb4 жыл бұрын
I listen to Wills videos just so i can hear him say “TITAN”! My favorite part every time!
@wildweenrzdtcom3 жыл бұрын
And butt-ON
@kalilorna30653 жыл бұрын
“TiTAN” makes me smile every time he says it.
@Phil_McAvity3 жыл бұрын
GAF
@htmagic4 жыл бұрын
Will, thank you for sharing this safety tip! I've seen others that have a DIY build for a 24 volt system and they never talked about this!
@ruffynd3 жыл бұрын
Thank God I saw this video before connecting my first inverter and battery together today. Thank you!
@DavidBrown-hn9cv2 жыл бұрын
I discovered a method of precharging capacitors using no extra parts. Just the battery and the inverter. However, this method can only be used if you built your own battery from 3.2v cells. Simply attach the positive inverter cable to the positive side of the battery, then touch the negative cable to the negative post of the first cell in the series. Then touch it to the second negative post, then the third, etc. This allows you to use the battery itself to slowly ramp up the voltage, 3.2v at a time.
@EnriqueValienteEMPrankz2 ай бұрын
Make a video bro. I understood nothing
@4-Horses15 күн бұрын
Made sense to me. Common sense. @@EnriqueValienteEMPrankz
@michaelkochalka97643 жыл бұрын
This video has been incredibly helpful. I blew the fuses in the exact same inverter you have used in your video by not pre-charging the capacitors and hope this fixes the issues
@BikeHelmetMk24 жыл бұрын
Great public service / safety announcement! I frequently see people doing this wrong, and it's so simple not to. Now with a short video that I can point to, if I forward it on people will actually watch it! Thanks Will! Keep doing what you love.
@katherinelevin40722 жыл бұрын
Thanks again Will for keeping things simple and easy to understand. Really appreciate your useful examples…..I’d be burning alot of money if not for folks like you….learning important stuff here.
@redsquirrelftw4 жыл бұрын
That is good to know, I would have assumed big inverters would have some circuitry to prevent this but guess it's bad to assume! For a permanent setup you could probably have a resistor as part of the circuit by default and a separate switch to bypass it. I guess ideally two switches so you can still isolate the entire thing.
@PhilipHousel4 жыл бұрын
I used to use a incandescent test light to charge the capacitors in high power car audio systems. The benefit is the light glows dimmer and dimmer as the caps charge. The light across the inverter input will discharge too. Nice videos. Thanks.
@outbackeddie6 ай бұрын
Good to know. Inverter companies should include this information and a resistor in the packaging with their inverters. It wouldn't cost them Jack Diddly Squat and it might keep someone from damaging their eyes, batteries, or other equipment.
@Tore_Lund4 жыл бұрын
Used to drive a 48V EV in the 90' and the solution was to keep a 60W incandescent bulb in the battery compartment, so whenever I had disconnected the battery pack, but didn't want the bang and sparks when re-connecting, it was simply a matter of placing the center prong of the bulb on the battery terminal and the cable on the threaded part of the bulb, and when the bulb extinguished, the caps were charged so I could simply slide the cable onto the battery terminal with no fireworks. But yes, the authorised way of doing that is with a precharge resistor and a push button, and a small bulb to have an indication of when current is no longer flowing and the pre charge is complete.
@marcusn78543 жыл бұрын
Is there a specific voltage and watt requirements for the light bulb method? I found a light bulb with cable and crocodile clips which is rated 12V 25W, is this enough for precharging capacitor in UPS that uses two pair of 12V SLA batteries?
@Tore_Lund3 жыл бұрын
@@marcusn7854 The bulb is simply Used as a power resistor, with a visual indication of when the pre charge has finished. That means, any bulb Will do as Long as its voltage rating is equal og higher than your battery pack. So your 12V bulb is going to burn out if you connect IT to 24V. If you get a second 12V bulb and connect Them in series, IT Will Work too. I Used a Common 220V AC household bulb, and IT glowed only dimly on 48V, but IT was easy to see when IT turned off. If you are American, Use a 110V bulb. IT should light just the same on 24V as my 220v bulb did on 48v.
@oilspeculatorhater3 жыл бұрын
This worked for me. Thank you. I damaged an inverter years ago not knowing this. You do a great service with your fine programs.
@mueford4 жыл бұрын
On old submarines the action of switching on those massive battery banks would sometimes release ball lightning .
@fredlaroche69694 жыл бұрын
By far one of your most important, accurate and useful video that I have seen since subbing. Way better than you loosing time on overpriced underperforming fraudulantly called solar generators.
@EastyUK4 жыл бұрын
Solark 8k comes with 2 resistors just for this reason to topup the capacitors initially.
@HaskaTice2 жыл бұрын
I had no idea! My problem is now solved. I was about to return this brand new inverter 4000 watt. Thanks Will!!!!
@BenMitro4 жыл бұрын
Thanks Will, another informative episode. I am surprised to learn that large wattage inverters don't have a high value leakage resistor soldered across the input terminals to allow them to discharge over a few seconds once power is removed.
@ajarivas723 жыл бұрын
They should have a relay to automatically discharge through the normally closed terminals of the relay.
@adebayoagbaje2 жыл бұрын
@@ajarivas72 Absolutely, a relay is the ideal solution.
@godblessthelessfortunate31753 жыл бұрын
Many people install a switch or circuit breaker between the battery and inverter. Whenever the switch is flipped on, it will also generate a spark. I suppose we could manually pre-charge manually or install a push-button switch with resistor before flipping the switch but is there some kind of contactor, delay, relay, and/or device available off the shelf that can be installed across the breaker/switch to AUTOMATE the pre-charging? I doubt such an accessory cost much to make.
@mamorales0014 жыл бұрын
Dude, you are perfecting the perfect off grid system that can power a house out of a shed, including transportation! Wow! Using solar panels that can be downgraded to charge anything less powerful than and including a house! Shit, if you pakcage that like you have done with generators and sell it undercutting the market to get it out there would change everything! You do this and that's revolutionary. ✊🏽
@ahaveland4 жыл бұрын
Precharge resistors are good. You can use anything from 1Ω to 100Ω depending on how much current you want to flow, and how long you have to wait until charged. If you put a scope on it and record the voltage over time with different resistors, then you'll be able to show properly what resistance to use is best, and why.
@WillProwse4 жыл бұрын
Oh very smart! Thank you Andy :D
@WillProwse4 жыл бұрын
I would get Sparks with 8 ohm resistors so bumped up the recommendation. I should have tested it. Thank you
@egilsevalds39204 жыл бұрын
Easiest way to pre charge is with any INCANDESCENT light bulb. A 100W 120v bulb will do it instantly on a 12v system. On 48V setups the bulb will get lightly lit and go dark in a second or two. Should be across inverter supplying circuit breaker. If mounted on a light bulb socket, it can be unscrewed and turned in before breaker is reset. Not pre charging is a crime against inverter input capacitors.
@ahaveland4 жыл бұрын
@@egilsevalds3920 Good idea, though incandescent bulbs will be as rare as unicorn poop soon.
@manbearpig90004 жыл бұрын
@@ahaveland stores will still sell appliance bulbs at very least
@Angel_Nbg Жыл бұрын
I prevent sparks in the lithium battery by disabling "discharge" in the BMS. It's a straightforward solution!
@Sharpened_Spoon4 жыл бұрын
Thanks Will. Pretty much found everything I need to know to build my van solar system and feel confident its safe and will perform from your videos alone. Saved me endless trawling through questionable advice on forums.
@jaysonstebbins25392 жыл бұрын
I always wondered why I would only get one spark and wondered why the spark was so big! Thanks! I've done 3500 watt magnum inverter chargers with 600ah busses and never could get around the massive spark! Unless I used the battery disconnect lol
@SNAKEPIT3593 жыл бұрын
I'm in the process of researching setting up a solar system on a small narrow boat over here in England. All the videos I've looked at and read up online I've not come across this information. Thank you very much.
@zaferroni4 жыл бұрын
good advice well done I have been in this trade over 50 years now .
@topmastermind4 жыл бұрын
i usually use a 12v 55watts halogen automotive headlight bulb. easy to find and you can see if pre-charging completed. innitialy bulb will lit ip and slowly dims while charging in progress
@ahaveland4 жыл бұрын
Not so good for 48V systems though!
@squidlings4 жыл бұрын
@@ahaveland 48v super halogen, slowly dims and completely blinds you once charged.
@frankhodges67344 жыл бұрын
I use a standard household filament light bulb.
@gabrielmartinez31714 жыл бұрын
You put the bulb in line with the ground so even a 48v or 96v it'll dim because the capacitors will charge and no longer pass current.
@cheddar28484 жыл бұрын
Awesome video as always saw your interview with Jamie, that was so stoked.
@TheColinputer4 жыл бұрын
For my backup power system i built for my computer room. After i burnt up the contacts in a pair of high current relays i added a pre charger. Just using a resistor and a car horn relay. From memory the resistor im using is one of those ones designed for if you use LED replacement lights on your car to load the circuit more. The arduino i use to control it all just turns the precharger on for 5seconds before closing the main relay to the inverter.
@FelonyVideos2 жыл бұрын
WOW, it's amazing to me that the inverter manufacturers allow the terminals to stay hot for days. A 1k ohm (ish)resistor inside would discharge them fast enough and not waste too much power.
@bayofakeye31764 жыл бұрын
Thank you for this useful info. I have always wondered how to connect high voltage inverters without a spark, now I know
@laronis4 жыл бұрын
Thx for this info. I built a 3 battery bank about 4 years ago with a 2000 watt inverter and nobody ever mention this to me. Yes, i got some nice sparks when connecting the terminals to the inverter, but i figured it must just be a mild normal thing (not dangerous). Your $1 resister is about $10 with shipping.
@a647382 жыл бұрын
Yes several other youtube channels claim the sparking is of no worry and normal... I do not know if that is true or not that the sparking do not damage anything, it can for sure lead to things welding stuck...
@Electronzap4 жыл бұрын
Great video! Higher value resistors at lower wattage will work too. Just takes longer. Large value capacitors do definitely pack a punch.
@TheBreamer999 Жыл бұрын
Excellent video. I fried my inverter during hurricane Fiona (I'm in Prince Edward Island, Canada) and this would have saved me some grief. Thank you
@PowderMill10 ай бұрын
⚠️ Question! What about the internal inverter switch.? Does the pre+charging of inverters apply to every scenario? Our communications engineer watched this video and mentioned “If inverter is OFF when connecting, where’s the load?” And “Does the inverter’s internal switch or relay, etc.. suffer from contact arcing and burning damage?” We are using 2000 and 3000 Watt Giandel and Renogy pure sine-wave inverters with our emergency vehicles (ambulances & light rescue) at 12v. Some are permanently mounted and powered from the vehicle batteries (2x 12v deep cycle marine type) Some are mounted in Pelican wheeled cases with 100ah LifePO4 batteries for portability. After showing Though this doesn’t apply to our fire apparatus as we have onboard diesel generators, if installing inverters in the vehicles that are all 24vdc, any particular advice? Thanks for a great channel with a truly outstanding comment section!
@fstarockaburns425 Жыл бұрын
dude your videos are ALWAYS on point, to the point and incredibly clear and helpful - thanks a metric TON bro!! My new litto batts are ALMOST here and I just so HAPPENED to see someone popping a small switch and searched out what it was, i have a 10000w 24v split phase inverter!! You just saved me ruining alot of expensive stuff thanks thanks thanks!
@86lidewell3 жыл бұрын
I use a light bulb in a pig-tail socket to tune capacitors. That way, you get feed-back from the light glowing then going dim.
@TheTechPrepper3 жыл бұрын
Does anyone know what resistor should be used with a 12v, 3000w inverter with a 12v LiFePO battery? A link to Amazon would be great, but I can't seem to find it in the description. Secondly, does anyone know the formula for calculating resistor? Thanks advance. Great content, Will!
@Red_Pill_Matrix Жыл бұрын
I’m trying to develop a system to put a parallel system of 12 Volts in series with another parallel system of 12 Volts and then create a total voltage of 24 volts going towards a resistor bank.. if we get two large wattage resistors and of equal values such as 500 ohms each and tap wiring to the inverter off of the center and one side we once again have 12 Volts.. a perfect voltage divider.. but, I want to make it not quite equal so I’m thinking make one 550 ohms and one 450ohms and that should give me about 14.4 volts and 9.6 on other side.. so I would use the 14.4 side to give extra volts across the larger resistor.. enough to keep my inverter from beeping so frequently.. can it be done?? Not sure yet what resistor values to go with for sure, but …. voltage 1 * R1 + voltage 2 * R2 over the total voltage * ( R1 + R2) is formula for the output.. voltage on one section then is Divided to create the individual voltages.. i.e. using 550 ohms and 450 ohms and the 24 volt total system would yield 14.4volts and 9.6 volts.. use the 14.4 volt side.. then if total voltage drops a bit, no big deal at output..
@truecrime98 Жыл бұрын
He’s doing it with a 25 w 30 ohm resistor and it’s a 24 v battery system and a 3000 w inverter
@MyGoogleYoutube Жыл бұрын
Wow, good video. So, what happens when you turn your system off using a battery disconnect switch? Does this surge / spark happen within the disconnect switch when you power things back on?
@nlewis1111 Жыл бұрын
My question as well. I would think they would add a resistor to the switch, but I doubt they do.
@PeaceChanelАй бұрын
Thank You for All that you are doing for our Planet Earth.... Peace.. Shalom.. Salam.. Namaste .. 🙏🏻 😊 ✌ ☮ ❤ 🕊
@campinwill99774 жыл бұрын
Making something as boring as a resistor, interesting! You've done it again. Thanks for the great info!
@kwacz Жыл бұрын
Great video. I have done exactly what you are doing using a value of 200 ohm or larger and leave it connected for a minute or so. Another thing I have done is use a tail light bulb from a car in series with the inverter and the battery. (12 volt system) I just leave it connected unitl the bulb goes out and give it a few seconds more for good luck. The bulb will be bright and slowly dim. If the bulb suddenly goes out it may have burnt out so be careful if using the bulb method.
@patriciahibbert61393 жыл бұрын
Thank you for telling and EXPLAINING about the resistor to charge and to discharge. That was something nobody mention to me lol. Gordon.
@XRinger3 жыл бұрын
I had seen this video, but forgot about the caps after blowing out a 30A fuse during some load testing. Putting in the new fuse was a little scary! The lesson is now welded in, so to speak. I didn't have a 10W low resistance resistor handy, so I put some clips on a 120vac 40w light blub. Works fine.
@vonrollveeg4 жыл бұрын
Thanks. Great advice. I just don't understand why some people give you a "dislike" (thumbs down). I found nothing inaccurate or not useful in your presentation. I suspect they're just jealous. My advice: "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead".
@a647382 жыл бұрын
Some people just choose dislike simply because the video is not something that interest them...
@hellopsp1804 жыл бұрын
super informative and helpful!! Thanks for saving everyone's eyes and bank accounts !!
@adebayoagbaje2 жыл бұрын
The thought of the spark when I am about to connect these terminals always gives me concern. Thanks Will.
@ricbeme13234 жыл бұрын
Lucky to have a Fry's that is still stocked - many are suffering due to business changes. Good idea on using a resistor.
@Reloadeez Жыл бұрын
You can use a double sided pencil in a pinch, the graphite is a conductor and has around 20 ohms of resistance.
@olivierbourgeois3230 Жыл бұрын
Hi, I dont see alot of people pre-charging inverters with 12v batterie battery banks AND 2000/3000 inverters. I found your video interesting and Im wondering if this applies to 12v or is more a concern with 24v batterie system and up? Cheers!
@jenniferhuffman18354 жыл бұрын
Love your videos. I've learned so much and I understand it. You have a way of explaining these ideas in easy to understand language. Thank you! Also...will you be evaluating the new Ecoflow Delta 1300 solar generator? That one looks promising but I would love to see what you find out about it.
@jamest.50014 жыл бұрын
It can also damage the inverter!.. I use a 60-100 watt light bulb, the incandescent bulb can glow for a few seconds, but when its charged , it will stop glowing,
@seanjanson21444 жыл бұрын
Great video, thanks. What about if the inverter (connected) is turned off for extended period of time. Do the capacitors remain charged?
@javiercoronel1169Ай бұрын
Had a buddy loose an eye for not prechargeing , they call him pop- eye😅😂
@marionsutcliffe1119 Жыл бұрын
Chunky soft shop pencils work well too! Mine measured about 20ohms.
@hannescamitz85753 жыл бұрын
Just another tip when it comes to capacitors, it is really easy to calculate the resistor needed. But this only work IF you a aware of the capacitance of the bank. What you calculate is the time constant or RC R=resistor C=capacitors. t=R*C so if you got a 30ohm resistor and a bank of 100'000uF (0,1F), just put those values in the formula and BAM! 30Ohm * 0,1F = 3s to about 60% charge if they're completelly drained. The second advice is, why bother with dischargin when you easily can just permanatly mount a resistor beetween the power "poles/skrews" and as soon as you disconnect the battery bank it starts to drain the capacitors. Same formula just the opposit result. But I'd use a larger on, let's say 1K (1000Ohm) which will drain the capacitors within 2min. A 1000 ohm resistor will draw about 0,012A or 0,144W so you'll ned atleast a 1/4W or 1/2W resistor. No disessambly required at all for any of this tips.
@richardobannon63014 жыл бұрын
Thanks, you are the only one on you-tube that has said to do this, I guess all those experts need to learn a little more. You would think that at least Battle Born would tell their customers that in a video??
@charlieslou9 ай бұрын
Hi Will, Thanks for all the videos and detailed explanations. You have helped to make our RV electrical upgrade easier and safer. Thank you! Tod
@Captain-Paul10 ай бұрын
It such a good point that it is very disappointing that no practical solutions are offered when for when fitting an inverter in situ - particulary as they will be turned off and back on on a regular basis - even pointing the way to some off the shelf solutions (well anything really) would have been really helpful
@kirkpeters78254 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the great advice and safety tips. I hope all your viewers heed your advice. Like your channel for the great information about solar products and your honest reviews of the products.
@Kievlar2 жыл бұрын
I feel safe just watching Will's videos.
@mickellis87474 жыл бұрын
If you don't have a resister you can use a light bulb.
@mickellis87474 жыл бұрын
correct, or a car lamp of the correct voltage. Won't work with LED
@nesto4evr3 жыл бұрын
"It will create a huge spark that don't have molten metal go right in your eye!" That's The story of My Life.
@i8BBQ4Lunch4 жыл бұрын
Just found your channel today. Already subscribed. You just gave me an answer to an issue I have in my RV power system. I have two Battle Born batteries wired in parallel going to a Blue Sea battery switch. I also have a Victron Energy MultiPlus Compact 12/2000 Inverter Charger. Every so often when I switch the batteries on the system would not start. I would have to cycle the switch off and back on to get it running. After watching your video, I now know that I was triggering a disconnect on the Battle Born Charge Controllers. To fix this I will get a momentary toggle SPST switch and that wire-wound resistor and put them across the switch terminals. I will toggle the switch on for a couple of seconds before switching the batteries into the system. Thank you very much.
@debratav99212 жыл бұрын
Very useful info for DIY enthusiasts, I personally use car/mo-bike tail lamps [filament type not LED] for charge discharge those capacitors. ;)
@tompryde63589 ай бұрын
All good Will. But spending on a 2 buck resistor is totally unnecessary on the 12V inverter level. Just tap in a 1156 ish 12v bulb or just about any 12v bulb. Dissipates that energy pronto. Whether powering up a new inverter or Dissipating the energy in an old inverter. Just wait for the light to go out😂. Job done. Let's not over think resistance
@brettchaplin95822 ай бұрын
Hi I have a 12v system in my camper, 2x 120 amp lithium batteries. The only thing not connected is the negative to the inverter so I used the light bulb method from negative cable to negative on the inverter but my light just stays on, what am I doing wrong? 2000w inverter and 12v21w globe I'm using. Thanks
@alexandreesquenet37362 жыл бұрын
The Epever Ipower plus (5000W) has current limit to prevent sparkles/Arc when connecting the 48V batteries bank, this is nice, I did not have to use a resistor (LifePO4)
@GoatZilla3 жыл бұрын
I would think an easier way to do this is install a circuit breaker somewhere, leave it open, but jump the terminals with the resistor. Once it's charged up, then flip the breaker.
@a647382 жыл бұрын
I would have used a 300A automatic electronic fuse in my system. They work great as a circuit breaker, but the largest I could find in the store was 70A ;( . On my car stereo I had 200A ones and that worked great for 10 years as a circuit breaker. This far I have been connecting my 24v 3000W inverter the sparky way but until now I only had small lead acid battery bank. I just bought LifePo batteries and is making a 200Ah 200A 24v battery bank, think I will have to use the resistor method for connecting from now on.
@BroncoED1972 Жыл бұрын
All good info. I was just looking for how to safely discharge my inverter.
@johnbeckman89164 жыл бұрын
00:33 And that can really hurt sometimes! 😃
@DAH-ss1nu4 жыл бұрын
If you don't want to go buy a resistor, a 1 foot length of .032 stainless safety wire has about 7 ohms. It's what I use to make discharge load banks.
@bumblingfool2 жыл бұрын
I always used an incandescent light bulb, when the bulb goes out, you know it's charged. It also works the same way to discharge. With a 12 or 24v system a regular automotive test light works great. Any voltage higher might be a little difficult to find a bulb for though?
@a647382 жыл бұрын
for 48v just chain four 12v bulbs ;) Or maybe use a 220v og 110v bulb?
@bumblingfool2 жыл бұрын
@@a64738 SMH, my brain didn't even go there. Obvious!
@lestatt772 жыл бұрын
Yeah, I fried my 48v inverter Growatt 6kw inverter, 4 mosfets were fried by the inrush of current, with my 35kwh lithium battery bank. Do this, save yourself the hassle and do this.
@ZeRo8625 Жыл бұрын
Switching on three MultiPlus-II 48/5000/70-50 in parallel with just the bms (jk bms b2a20s20p) works fine for me so far 👍
@pocketchange19514 жыл бұрын
Looking dorky is being safe, thanks for the video, 👍👌❤🇨🇦
@andreawisner73584 жыл бұрын
Does that only need to be done to an inverter once in its lifetime?
@TheDIYDen4 жыл бұрын
A friend of mine actually tested a super cap to see how fast they discharged, they did overnight !, not sure if all capacitors are like that tho.
@P_RO_4 жыл бұрын
Good quality super-caps can hold a serious level of charge for several days. Dashcams using them can hold their time settings for as long as ten days (though usually more like a week). Never trust a capacitor to be discharged until you do that yourself ;)
@durangarc4 жыл бұрын
Thanks for addressing safety issues!
@thebearsden1701 Жыл бұрын
I wired my resistor directly on my battery switch ....once the switch is on...the resistor is no longer in the circuit...this way I never forget. ...
@SteveWrightNZ4 жыл бұрын
Near infinitely-low impedances create near infinitely-large currents. I=V/R. With R tending to zero, I tends to infinity, regardless of the voltage. Another way to do it is use a thin wire, but wear gloves and be firesafe doing this incase of mistakes - melted plastic will stick to your hands and keep burning - very unfunny. The resistor way is best.
@oldguy44674 жыл бұрын
Great info as always! This channel is amazing.
@leeloy21082 ай бұрын
Victron smartsolar mppt controller has no manual switch built in. So a loud pop and arc/spark occurred every time I connect it to battery. How do I stop this from happening?You present decent quality video contents. Thank you sir.
@alankirk41644 жыл бұрын
You might want to caution users regarding higher DC Voltage as there is the potential for an electrical shock that could be hazardous to health. I would be cautious with voltage greater than 48V.
@WillProwse4 жыл бұрын
Yes. Actually 30v and higher is dangerous for most safety codes. My 48v system videos cover shock considerations.
@lovesmykitties96724 жыл бұрын
Yes! Its the current being drawn, you being a resistor, in parallel you lower overall and will be a nice branch circuit Unless you have gloves and are mega ohm load. Experienced at 12000VAC and we used 600vdc control power in the breakers. Only get one mistake per life.
@P_RO_4 жыл бұрын
@@lovesmykitties9672 That last sentence- so true!
@leexgx4 жыл бұрын
The bigger issue is actually the capacitors especially on the larger inverters as I don't think I have seen any that have a soft charge up feature (like some computer power supplys have, the ones that don't spark when you plug them in do have it, they limit the power to the psu for 1-2 seconds then allow full power pass) , I have seen the solder or traces blown off around the the capacitors legs due to the very high amp inrush current At basic level I guess using thermistors to limit inrush
@danrascal4045 Жыл бұрын
Thanks! Glad I saw this video before putting together a new solar system.
@VideoByPatrick Жыл бұрын
Is this (resistor) required if you don't disconnect the hot or ground ? Is this (resistor) only required during initial hook up of Hot and Ground to terminals ?
@raven70684 жыл бұрын
Wow I had no idea we had to do that great information thank you.
@Captaink-14 жыл бұрын
Great info and safety PSA also! Save your eyes!
@pamtyer72973 жыл бұрын
So at least in California Fry’s electronics has now gone out of business. Just an FYI great video thanks
@ThePrincipality-dy1iq2 жыл бұрын
The eyewear does not look dorky. In fact they're pretty cool 😎